Key’s passing skills impress youngster
James Aberdein-tapuai had a huge smile on his face after Prime Minister John Key threw a ball around with him.
James, 10, was among the children and families Key visited at Christchurch’s Ronald Mcdonald House yesterday.
The charity, which provides accommodation to families with children who require hospital care, suffered major damage in last February’s earthquake.
The home’s main wing has been closed and only 13 out of 26 rooms are open.
The Aberdein-tapuai family, of Wellington, have been travelling to and from Christchurch since James was diagnosed with leukemia in November.
His mother, Jak, told Key the treatment ‘‘hit him hard at first’’.
‘‘He vomited a lot and couldn’t eat too much . . . but this phase is much better and he is doing really well.’’
Key threw a ball around with James, asked him about school and made fun of his Canberra Raiders hat.
‘‘I hope you don’t actually support that team,’’ he said.
James told The Press Key was ‘‘pretty good’’ at throwing a ball.
‘‘It’s cool that he did that,’’ he said.
Repairs to the main wing began at the end of last year and will involve jacking the building up and lowering it back to its original position.
Project manager Eugene Dougann told Key it was a ‘‘pretty huge job’’. The wing is planned to reopen in June.
Key also visited quake-hit Lyttelton, wandering along London St where he popped into shops, visited Project Lyttelton and poured an ale at the Port Hole Bar. Key, who was woken by the 4.1-magnitude quake at 5.21am yesterday, said the Christchurch rebuild would be successful.
‘‘I’m actually extremely confident that Christchurch is going to be rebuilt as a very strong, modern, successful city.’’